In the sterile corridors of Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, a young man named James Stokes carries himself with the measured poise of someone who has found his place. His polished footwear move with deliberate precision as he greets colleagues—some by name, others with the familiar currency of a "good morning."

James wears his NHS lanyard not merely as institutional identification but as a declaration of inclusion. It hangs against a neatly presented outfit that betrays nothing of the tumultuous journey that preceded his arrival.

What sets apart James from many of his colleagues is not immediately apparent. His bearing gives away nothing of the fact that he was among the first recruits of the NHS Universal Family Programme—an undertaking created purposefully for young people who have experienced life in local authority care.

"It felt like the NHS was putting its arm around me," James says, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. His observation summarizes the heart of a programme that seeks to transform how the vast healthcare system approaches care leavers—those vulnerable young people aged 16-25 who have transitioned from the care system.

The statistics reveal a challenging reality. Care leavers often face poorer mental health outcomes, economic uncertainty, housing precarity, and lower academic success compared to their peers. Underlying these impersonal figures are personal narratives of young people who have traversed a system that, despite good efforts, frequently fails in providing the stable base that forms most young lives.

The NHS Universal Family Programme, launched in January 2023 following NHS England's commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, signifies a significant change in institutional thinking. At its core, it acknowledges that the whole state and civil society should function as a "communal support system" for those who haven't known the stability of a traditional family setting.

Ten pathfinder integrated care boards across England have charted the course, creating structures that reconceptualize how the NHS—one of Europe's largest employers—can open its doors to care leavers.

The Programme is detailed in its methodology, starting from comprehensive audits of existing practices, forming governance structures, and securing leadership support. It acknowledges that effective inclusion requires more than lofty goals—it demands concrete steps.

In NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB, where James found his footing, they've created a regular internal communication network with representatives who can offer support, advice, and guidance on wellbeing, HR matters, recruitment, and EDI initiatives.

The standard NHS recruitment process—structured and often daunting—has been carefully modified. Job advertisements now focus on character attributes rather than extensive qualifications. Application procedures have been redesigned to consider the specific obstacles care leavers might encounter—from lacking professional references to struggling with internet access.

Perhaps most significantly, the Programme understands that starting a job can create specific difficulties for care leavers who may be managing independent living without the backup of familial aid. Concerns like transportation costs, personal documentation, and banking arrangements—assumed basic by many—can become major obstacles.

The elegance of the Programme lies in its meticulous consideration—from clarifying salary details to providing transportation assistance until that essential first wage disbursement. Even apparently small matters like rest periods and workplace conduct are deliberately addressed.

For James, whose NHS journey has "transformed" his life, the Programme offered more than employment. It offered him a feeling of connection—that intangible quality that grows when someone senses worth not despite their past but because their unique life experiences enriches the institution.

"Working for the NHS isn't just about doctors and nurses," James comments, his expression revealing the modest fulfillment of someone who has discovered belonging. "It's about a community of different jobs and roles, a family of people who genuinely care."

The NHS Universal Family Programme exemplifies more than an work program. It functions as a strong assertion that organizations can evolve to embrace those who have known different challenges. In doing so, they not only transform individual lives but enrich themselves through the special insights that care leavers provide.

As James walks the corridors, his presence silently testifies that with the right support, care leavers can thrive in environments once deemed unattainable. The support that the NHS has provided through this Programme represents not charity but acknowledgment of hidden abilities and the essential fact that each individual warrants a community that believes in them.